Originally, we came to Annapolis to buy a watermaker and a bigger inverter. Apart from the devices, we found wonderful and caring new friends.

Dear new friends: Alice und Marshall Larner

By chance we got a recommendation to turn to J.Gordon&Co Inc. for the ECHO-Tec watermaker. Surprisingly, as we could see on their website, they also carried the Mastervolt inverter we fancied as well as the Raymarine products we were looking for. All we needed in one place. Plus a few berths in the Eastport Yacht Center which clients can use, in walking distance from downtown Annapolis. We got a very warm welcome by boss Marshall P. Larner and his great team – and a dedicated support the weeks that should follow.

After a few days Marshall invited us to join him and his wife Alice for an evening at the Eastport Yacht Club. We appreciated this invitation very much since at this time we just had a business relationship. It turned out to be a wonderful encounter and a great evening. We laughed a lot – Alice and Marshall have a great sense of humour and just the same wavelength as we have.

After three weeks in the marina, after another hard working day on the boat, they invited us again for cocktails at the Eastport Yacht Club. Out of the blue, they asked whether we would like to join them (and dog Hubble) for a weekend in the Western Maryland mountains, at their lake house. We had heard about the lake house before and it sounded just like a dream. A cozy house in the woods, amidst lush nature (which later reminded Robert of the movie “Dirty Dancing”), only a stone’s throw away from Deep Creek Lake with wonderfully cooling waters. Just the perfect place to escape the very hot and humid Annapolis July climate. No need for consideration, we instantly said YES.

Robert in front of the lake house and the back of it

On Friday evening, we left the marina in Marshall’s car for the lake, a three hour ride ahead of us. Alice and Hubble the dog, a supersweet and very well-behaved Havany, welcomed us at the lake house. That turned out to be even cozier (and much bigger!) than we had imagined. And impressive: Alice and Marshall had built the house with their own hands. With all the work on the boat, we have a certain imagination what that must have meant. The big living room with galeria, open kitchen, fireplace and large windows facing the woods was the perfect environment for the first chatty evening at the lake. For the first time in month, we had left TRINITY behind (and survived it).

Picturesque Deep Creek Lake

Alice and Hubble

After a wonderfully long sleep, the four of us were considering whether to take the car or the powerboat to the Larner’s favourite coffeeshop. We decided to take the car and visit the Swallow Falls after breakfast. That involved a hiking tour through the woods, along the river banks and the various falls. The climate in the woods was very pleasant, we had a lot of fun taking pictures and joking around.

At the Swallow Falls

The incredible Hulk and Kerstin taking a shortcut

Hiking through the woods

Back at the house, we switched vehicles. The powerboat, which is berthed directly below the house at a resident’s dock, was uncovered and Marshall switched the engine on. Normally we’re not into powerboats, considering all the noise and the vast amount of fuel they consume. But actually being on a powerboat is totally different – we really enjoyed it! Alice and Marshall as well, as you can tell by the pictures. Since Kerstin craved for another of the great Chai Lattes she already had for breakfast, we stopped at the coffeeshop again. The don’t have only parking lots for tennants in front but a dock as well. Happy hour came along, we changed location to the Round Bar (which is actually multi-facetted), having drinks on the terrace overlooking the lake and listening to some great live music. This exciting day ended with a dinner at Pine Lodge Steakhouse (with skiing vacation atmosphere).

Marshall in action preparing the boat (see stern, starboardside)

Check – ready for departure

Yes, it IS fun to cause wake!

Happy Hour at the Round Bar (actually polyangular)

Robert about to cool down in the lake

On Sunday, we took our time, sipping coffee on the deck of the lake house, watching Hubble chasing chipmonks. We admired them since we only knew them from Disney cartoons. Our breakfast destination was the already ritualized coffeeshop. After that, we explored Deep Creek Lake in full. Deep Creek Lake is man-made, the water is being dammed up. Marshall was eager to show us every corner of it – or maybe he simply enjoyed speeding up the boat. All four of us could have gone for even more hours, but since it was already late Sunday afternoon, the hard farewell from the lake house was in store for us.

Sunday Lake Cruise

Getting ready for farewell from the lake

It was a wonderful weekend and a very welcomed mini-vacation from the hard work on the boat. Thank you so much, Alice + Marshall + Hubble, you were the perfect hosts! We already miss you much! K+R
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